Twenty years on from the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster, a poignant new exhibition is to be launched at the Lancashire Police Museum detailing the investigation and remembering the victims.
It was on the evening of 5 February 2004, when 23 Chinese migrants trafficked into the area by Liverpool gangmasters were drowned by an incoming tide at Morecambe Bay while harvesting cockles. Fifteen other labourers from the same group managed to return safely to shore.
The subsequent Police investigation – Operation Lund - was one of the most complex and emotive cases in the history of Lancashire Constabulary with enquiries in several countries and witnesses who spoke little English and had no local knowledge. Many were from a farming background and had never even seen the sea until they went cockle picking.
A lengthy trial resulted in the Chinese gangmaster who organised the trip, and two associates, being found guilty of manslaughter, breaking immigration laws and other crimes, and sentenced to several years in prison.
It also led to new laws to protect trafficked workers, contributed to the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act, and encouraged stronger guidelines around those working in cockle picking.
The exhibition tells the story of that night and the ground-breaking investigation and trial.
Commenting on the new exhibition, Museum Co-ordinator Sabine Skae said: “Lancashire Police Museum was set up to celebrate our proud history and to highlight the great work of Lancashire Police over the years.
“Some of the most popular displays are those dedicated to our investigation work so we knew we wanted a new display would focus on our fantastic detective work.
“Given the location of the Museum, we thought Op Lund would be a fitting choice, enabling us to showcase the tenacity of our investigation skills but also provide a fitting tribute to the victims of this truly terrible tragedy.
“It is an iconic case, not just locally and nationally, but internationally because it threw the spotlight on an otherwise unknown crime - modern slavery - and led to changes in legislation.
“We’re very pleased with the new display which we feel is a poignant and sympathetic tribute to the victims but also a story which highlights the work which goes into some of our more complex investigations at Lancashire Constabulary.
“We’d love people to come along, take a look and tell us what they think.”
The exhibition will be unveiled on Friday (July 19).
Read more: INTERVIEWS: Morecambe remembers the cockling tragedy 20 years on
Present at the event will be retired Senior Investigating Officer Mick Gradwell, who led the Op Lund inquiry.
Recalling the investigation, he said: “The workload was just ferocious. For two years it was pressure with little let up. The challenges included scared and missing witnesses, communicating in and translating from another language and massive press interest.”
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said: "I'm delighted to see Lancashire Police Museum going from strength to strength, with thousands of people from across the county and further afield learning about the rich history of Lancashire Constabulary and the realities of policing today.
"The events that took place on Morecambe more than twenty years ago were utterly tragic, and it's fitting that the new exhibition remembers the victims and highlights the work of Op Lund to secure justice for those who lost their lives.
"This is another example of the work that's gone into making the museum a success, telling the story of how policing in Lancashire, and across the country has evolved over the years.
"I'd also like to thank the numerous volunteers who help to provide thousands of visitors with the best possible experience and I'm looking forward to seeing the museum continue to develop and engage with the public."
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